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Cared Quote by N.K. Jemisin

“What the rust do you matter? Who cares about you? Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it? Once, you did have people who cared about you. Once there were children who looked up to you and lived on your every word. Once—twice, three times, but the first two don’t count—there was a man you woke up next to…” quote by N.K. Jemisin
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““What the rust do you matter? Who cares about you? Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it? Once, you did have people who cared about you. Once there were children who looked up to you and lived on your every word. Once—twice, three times, but the first two don’t count—there was a man you woke up next to every morning, who gave a damn that you existed. Once, you lived surrounded by the walls he built for you, in a home you made together, in a community that actually chose to take you in.””

N.K. Jemisin

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About This Quote

Past connections—family, lovers, community—once gave meaning, highlighting the fleeting nature of belonging.

In simple terms: Lost bonds once gave purpose and love.

Key Takeaway

Cherish and rebuild meaningful ties.

Themes

relationships loneliness meaning memory community

Mood

melancholic hopeful

Type

emotional reflective

When to use this quote

  • grief counseling
  • relationship building
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

attachment theory existential reflection social bonds identity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What relationships still matter to you?
  • How can you create new supportive circles?
A Different Perspective

Nostalgia can idealize the past.

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